5 Immigrants Die in Car Accident After Border Patrol Chase

Authorities said five undocumented immigrants are dead following a chase involving Border Patrol agents. (Published Sunday, June 17, 2018)

Authorities said five undocumented immigrants are dead following a chase involving Border Patrol agents Sunday afternoon.

Dimmit County Sheriff Marion Boyd said the crash happened off Highway 85 in Big Wells at about noon. Boyd said agents were chasing the SUV when it lost control and overturned. The vehicle was traveling at more than 100 miles per hour when it crashed.

Fourteen people were inside, including the driver and passenger. Twelve immigrants were ejected and four died at the scene when the car crashed and rolled over, according to Boyd. A fifth person later died at the hospital. A total of 9 people were transported to the hospital, including five who went to San Antonio Military Medical Center and the rest going to local hospitals. The driver, who is believed to be a United States citizen, was among those transported.

A border patrol agent observed three vehicles traveling one behind the other on FM 2664 and suspected a smuggling attempt was happening, the agency said in a statement. The agent was able to stop one of the vehicle and called out a description of the other two. A second border patrol agent was able to pull over the second vehicle but the third refused to stop. The agency said multiple arrest were made in both vehicles.

The passenger, also believed to be a U.S. citizen, is currently in custody.

Boyd said there needs to be a wall built because this is a "real problem" in the area.

The incident is under investigation by the US Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility, Border Patrol said in a statement.